The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 7 opens with Yay, Nay, Let’s Stay, a lively, call-and-respond energiser that tightens listening and reaction while building whole-group rhythm and laughter. Students practise quick forward/back/turn cues (with clear wheelchair-friendly swaps like push/roll/half-turn), then level up into short sequences, including student-designed patterns, for shared challenge and celebration. You’ll pivot into My Dream Day, a creative SEL block where learners draw, write, speak, or use AAC to imagine a perfect day and choose one small, realistic element they can try soon. Expect warm peer sharing, easy entry points for Levels A–D and F–3, and simple scaffolds (sentence starters, visuals, scribing) that turn imagination into hopeful micro-goals.
Sports Adventure: a story-driven fitness journey (or stations game) that blends safe, scalable movements with pretend play, students “travel” through sports moments, cooperate at stops, and cheer teammates on. Close with Card Faces, a quick, inclusive emotions round where playing cards map to feelings; learners act, point, or describe expressions, then link them to real-life moments to grow empathy and vocabulary. Educators can expect minimal setup, non-eliminating play, clear modelling, and multiple ways to respond (verbal, visual, assisted). Look for growth in reaction control and coordination, imaginative language and goal-setting, teamwork and encouragement, and emotion recognition, leaving the class connected, confident, and ready for Week 8.
Weekly Lessons
Yay, Nay, Let’s Stay
Yay, Nay, Let’s Stay is a lively, energising movement game designed to build listening skills, coordination, and group connection. With three simple commands, jump forward, jump back, and spin, students learn to listen closely, respond quickly, and work together as a team. Perfect for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, the activity blends physical movement with laughter, rhythm, and focus. Whether students are practising basic movements or following fun, fast-paced sequences, the game encourages teamwork, confidence, and joyful participation.
The playful call-and-response style keeps energy high, while the group circle format helps students feel connected and supported. Commands can be adapted for wheelchair users, and visual cues can be added for learners who benefit from them. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the appropriate level and download the full printable version. A fun, inclusive, high-energy activity that strengthens listening, coordination, teamwork, and smiles, all at once.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
My Dream Day
My Dream Day is a joyful, imaginative activity that invites students to picture their perfect day, real, magical, or completely made up. Through drawing, writing, speaking, or using symbols, students explore what makes them feel happy, safe, excited, and connected. Designed for both Levels A & D and Levels F–3, the activity strengthens creativity, positive thinking, emotional awareness, and early goal-setting. Students imagine special moments, describe the people and places that matter to them, and reflect on how small parts of a “dream day” can be brought into real life.
The activity encourages choice, personalised expression, and inclusive participation. Students can dream through pictures, words, gestures, AAC, collage, storytelling, or partner sharing, every form of creativity is welcomed and celebrated. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the appropriate version for your learners and download the full printable. A warm, uplifting activity that inspires imagination, builds confidence, and helps students recognise the meaningful moments that make each day special.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Sports Adventure Story
Sports Adventure Story is an exciting, high-energy movement activity that takes students on a thrilling fitness journey through famous sports, athletes, and challenges. Blending imagination with physical activity, students become the heroes of the story, bobsledders, skiers, marathon runners, sprinters, surfers, gymnasts, and more, moving their bodies in fun, safe, and engaging ways. Designed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, the activity boosts coordination, strength, balance, and endurance while nurturing creativity, storytelling, and active listening. With each part of the adventure linked to a simple movement, students stay motivated, energised, and immersed in the narrative.
The flexible format allows you to use the full movement story video or guide the adventure through narration. All movements can be adapted for wheelchair users, ensuring every student can participate with confidence and joy. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the level appropriate for your learners and download the full printable version. A dynamic, imagination-fuelled fitness adventure that builds physical skills, creativity, confidence, and a love of movement, one sport at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Card Faces
Card Faces is a fun, expressive emotional-literacy game that helps students recognise, understand, and communicate feelings using playing cards and facial expressions. Each card is linked to an emotion, such as happy, sad, angry, surprised, or calm, and students bring these feelings to life by acting them out, guessing them, and discussing when they might appear in real life. Designed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, the activity builds emotional awareness, empathy, and social understanding in a playful and accessible way. Students learn to read facial cues, practise making their own expressions, and explore everyday situations where feelings occur, all within a supportive and engaging environment.
The flexible format allows students to participate by acting, pointing to visuals, using AAC devices, or choosing emotion cards, ensuring every learner is included. The game can be played in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, and is easily adapted for home or family use. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the level that best suits your learners and download the full printable version. A simple, joyful way to build emotional skills, empathy, and confidence, one card, one face, one feeling at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
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